Role description
The Head of Social Value (HoSV) is HACT’s specialist subject matter expert on social value and impact measurement. The post holder will be able to clearly explain what social value means and have knowledge of a range of impact measurement methodologies and how they can be applied in different contexts.
The HoSV will ensure that HACT maintains its position at the forefront of social value and impact measurement thinking, constantly identifying areas for innovation and development. The post holder will also build and strengthen relationships with customers by providing quality social value consultancy, training and research.
The HoSV will have regular contact with HACTs strategic partner, SImetrica-Jacobs, ensuring there is 2-way dialogue based on market intelligence, understanding competitors and any other feedback which will positively support HACTs position in the social value space.
Working at the cutting edge of how social impact measurement is used within the built environment, the post holder will have an enthusiasm to lead new thinking and the ability to be flexible, adaptable and to thrive on the challenge of working in a developing area and work closely with the Head of Services and Head of Customer to develop the product map.
The HoSV will be the ‘go to’ person within HACT for social value and will represent HACT as an expert in this field in the sector.
Responsibilities
• Be the subject matter expert for social value and impact measurement at HACT, providing guidance and expertise internally to HACT colleagues and externally to customers. This will involve leading on the development of guidance materials for implementing HACT’s Social Value Banks and measurement methodology and practice notes.
• Deliver social value services to customers at the right level of quality, ensuring customer needs are met.
• Identify opportunities to enhance HACT’s social value services, expand HACT’s Social Value Banks and provide more value to customers.
• Identify business development opportunities for social value services within the housing sector, built environment and beyond.
• Build and manage existing relationships with partners, Associates, and other stakeholders, working with these partners to support delivery, information flows, and engagement with customers.
• Continually keep own expertise up-to-date and current through market scanning and analysis and use this insight to support improvements to the HACT offer.
• Represent HACT with key stakeholders and at sector events.
• Stay abreast of issues in the social housing, built environment and health sectors, and feeding these into HACT work.
• Undertake any task that may be requested from time to time that may be consistent with the nature and scope of this post.
• Travel and occasional overnight stays across the UK will be required.
Skills and experience
Essential
· Minimum 3 years of experience working in social value and impact measurement
· Proven track record in managing and delivering research/consultancy projects to meet funders’ requirements, including to time, budget and quality expectations
· Experience of developing and delivering training that applies complex issues into everyday organisational and individual behaviours in understandable ways
· Experience of working with customers to design new projects and secure income
· Demonstrable track record of preparing successful project proposals, consultancy briefs, and/or funding bids
· Proven skills in writing for/speaking to a range of audiences to ensure impact
· Innovation and drive – the ability to independently spot and successfully curate projects that respond to emerging opportunities
· Excellent time management, with the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and to tight deadlines whilst maintain quality
· Ability to work under own initiative, be flexible, and have a proactive approach to problem solving
· Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage a range of audiences, stakeholders, funders and partners using different media
· Good knowledge of a variety of social impact measurement methods and confident in both qualitative and quantitative research methods
Desirable
· Minimum 3 years of experience working in social value and impact measurement
· Proven track record in managing and delivering research/consultancy projects to meet funders’ requirements, including to time, budget and quality expectations
· Experience of developing and delivering training that applies complex issues into everyday organisational and individual behaviours in understandable ways
· Experience of working with customers to design new projects and secure income
· Demonstrable track record of preparing successful project proposals, consultancy briefs, and/or funding bids
· Proven skills in writing for/speaking to a range of audiences to ensure impact
· Innovation and drive – the ability to independently spot and successfully curate projects that respond to emerging opportunities
· Excellent time management, with the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and to tight deadlines whilst maintain quality
· Ability to work under own initiative, be flexible, and have a proactive approach to problem solving
· Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage a range of audiences, stakeholders, funders and partners using different media
· Good knowledge of a variety of social impact measurement methods and confident in both qualitative and quantitative research methods
About HACT
HACT’s products, services, consultancy, and research helps organisations to:
• Calculate social return on investment with rigour using our Social Value Banks.
• Broker housing and health partnerships, demonstrate the importance of housing in delivering health outcomes and integrate housing into the delivery of health services.
• Measure impact, understand communities and demonstrate the value of community investment work through our insight tools.
• Provide a forum to network with partners to complement and strengthen success of delivery through our Centre for Excellence in Community Investment.
• Connect, share ideas and innovation, and develop sector specific tools such as the UK Housing Data Standards.
• Identify cost benefits, evaluate performance, and deliver strategic insights.
We are a deeply committed team, working with individuals and organisations who share our vision for impact, innovation, and collaboration within social housing and beyond.
